Foundation-Modernization: 1781-1944

1781Founding

Over two centuries ago in 1781, 32-year-old Chobei Takeda I started a business selling traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines in Doshomachi, Osaka, the center of the medicine trade in Japan. His small shop bought medicines from wholesalers, then divided them into smaller batches and sold them to local medicine merchants and doctors. This was the beginning of the present-day Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

1852Chobei III to build a new home

In April 1852, Chobei III demolished the old mansion in the southeast of Doshomachi Nakabashisuji and built a new home and a warehouse. These buildings lasted approximately 75 years until the construction for the head office building started in 1927.

1871Import of Western medicines begins

Chobei Takeda IV led other medicine retailers in turning his attention to Western medicine. He formed a cooperative union for purchasing Western medicines in Yokohama and began transactions with foreign trading companies. Western medicines imported at the time included quinine, an anti-malaria drug, and phenol, an anti-cholera drug.

Takeda began direct imports from England, the U.S., Germany, Spain and other countries around 1895, and in 1907 obtained exclusive sales rights in Japan for products from German company Bayer. Thus, the business that began as a shop selling old-fashioned Japanese and Chinese remedies steadily increased its selection of Western medicines, before shifting its basic orientation to Western medicine.

In 1895, the Company acquired Uchibayashi Drug Works to establish its own factory in Osaka and became a pharmaceutical manufacturer. This factory produced products such as bismuth subgallate (an antidiarrheal agent) and quinine hydrochloride.

1914Research activities begin with establishment of a research division

Around this time, Takeda began introducing a succession of its own products. Among these were Calmotin®(a sedative), Novoroform®(an analgesic) and Lodinon®(an injectable form of D-glucose). Takeda steadily expanded its pharmaceutical business and even began exports to the U.S., Russia and China.

1915Takeda Pharmaceutical Company was established

Soon after starting the pharmaceutical business, the testing division was formed. The research division, which researched and developed new pharmaceutical products, was also formed in 1915. The R&D system formed during this period became the foundation which lead to the growth of Takeda.

1920 Takeda Store before the shortening of the eaves

Along with the shortening of the eaves and the widening of the roads in Doshomachi, wooden block pavements were laid.

1920Takeda Store after the shortening of the eaves

Along with the shortening of the eaves and the widening of the roads in Doshomachi, wooden block pavements were laid.

1922Image of Doshomachi（The company is in the center)

Around 1922（The company on the left corner of Nakabashisuji)From an image of Kasukabe Kasumimura (drawing of shopping street)

1925Incorporated as Chobei Takeda & Co., Ltd.

The Company was incorporated as Chobei Takeda & Co., Ltd., with capital of 5.3 million yen and Chobei Takeda V as president. The Company went from being an individually owned business to a modern corporate organization integrating R&D, manufacturing and marketing. The Company changed its name to Takeda Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. in 1943 (its English name was changed to Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. in 1961).

1925Bird's-eye view of the factory in 1925

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company merged with Chobei Takeda & Co., Ltd in 1925 and became the main factory of the pharmaceutical division.

1933Takeda Garden for Medicinal Plant Conservation (Kyoto)* was established

This conservation has collected, grown and used herbs and other plants with medicinal value from around the world. Currently, the garden has more than 2,882 species of plants, including 104 endangered species.

*Established as "Kyoto Takeda Herbal Garden." The name was changed to "Kyoto Experimental Garden" in 1945 and changed again to its current name in 1994.

1944Institute for Fermentation, Osaka was established

For more than 60 years, this institute has been devoted to the preservation of microorganisms to support research. Today, it serves as a research foundation dedicated to the advancement of microbial science.

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Links to external web sites from this site are offered for your convenience. These websites may provide information on products not available in Australia and may not comply with the Australian regulatory environment. Further information on Takeda products relevant to the Australian environment is available from the company or via the Product Information. While care has been taken to ensure that these external websites provide educational material for the Australian public on related topics, please be aware that Takeda Australia takes no responsibility for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does Takeda Australia endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at these other Internet sites. Any information provided by these sources should be discussed with your health care professional and does not replace their advice.